Kristina Campbell, left, has her picture taken in the Predators' locker room by her sister, Kelly Campbell, during the Predators Draft Party at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, June 23, 2017.(Photo: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)Buy Photo

With the frustrations of a late whistle still stinging and the "instruments of crime" safely swimming in the Cumberland River (for now), Predators diehards celebrated a historic season on Friday.

For the first time since the devastating loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, Predators faithful returned to Bridgestone Arena to revel in their Western Conference Championship and watch the NHL Draft for a fan appreciation night.

Displayed at Bridgestone was a banner reading "Thank You Smashville" in big, bold letters, an ode to the fan support the team received during its Stanley Cup run. To say thanks, fans could get their face painted, tour the locker room, play bumper hockey and skate on the Bridgestone ice, still painted with the Stanley Cup Final logo.

"It's great just to show our appreciation and it's good for them to give back to the fans," said Steve Reigle, of Ashland City, after taking his 6-year-old son, Austin, out to skate at Bridgestone.

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Kristina Campbell, left, has her picture taken in the Predators' locker room by her sister, Kelly Campbell, during the Predators Draft Party at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, June 23, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Steve Reigle, left, and Austin Reigle, right, 6, take off their skates after skating during the Predators Draft Party at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, June 23, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

Rosanne Montano and her son Jordan, 7, look out onto the ice after skating during the Predators Draft Party at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, June 23, 2017.
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean

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Postseason success for the Preds led to the formation of a newly empowered hockey fandom in Music City. Throughout the team's playoff run, thousands of fans watched the games from giants screens on the parks and streets of Lower Broadway. Officials estimate the Preds generated over $50 million for Nashville.

Despite an off-seaon full of change, fans are hopeful they can keep to their winning ways.

"This is the best season this team has ever had, let's get ready for another Stanley Cup run, because next year we are going to win the Cup," said Robin Jackson, 35, of Fairview.

Predators fans young and old tightened their skates, walked to the entrance area and took to the ice, where for one night, they could feel like part of the team that captured the city.

Rob and Roseann Montano took their 7-year-old son Jordan out for an hour of ice time. Jordan, wearing a Pekka Rinne jersey, just started his first year of competitive hockey, and Preds fandom runs deep in the Montano family. Rob Montano went to the first game ever at Bridgestone in 1998.

While Rob Montano thinks the Preds will go onto win multiple Stanley Cups in the coming years, sharing the ice with his wife and son brought the whole wild ride of the playoff run last year into perspective.